Jeong Eui-yong: "Moon Administration's Security Doctrine is Peace Based on Power... Tremendous Investment in Defense Capability Over 5 Years"

"Situation Changed Due to North Korea's ICBM Launch"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong stated on the 28th, "Although the Moon Jae-in administration's Korean Peninsula peace process has not yet achieved its goals, I do not believe there is any alternative to the peace process."

Minister Chung made this remark during a current affairs report at the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary session. Kim Seok-ki, a member of the People Power Party, criticized, "The Moon Jae-in administration fundamentally misunderstood North Korea," and added, "They should acknowledge and apologize for this outcome (North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch)."

In response, Minister Chung said, "The Korean Peninsula peace process was not simply about inducing North Korea to dialogue," and noted, "The Moon Jae-in administration's security doctrine was peace based on strength, and over the past five years, the administration made tremendous investments in strengthening defense capabilities."

He continued, "We implemented various restrained responses aimed at engaging North Korea in dialogue, but we take pride in the fact that South Korea's defense capabilities have been significantly enhanced over the past five years," and countered, "To simply say that the Moon Jae-in administration focused only on peace reflects a lack of understanding of the Moon security doctrine."

Minister Chung added, "As a result of the tremendous investments in strengthening our defense capabilities, which form the foundation of our security, a significant portion of our missile response capability that was promptly deployed on the 24th is also the outcome of efforts invested during the Moon Jae-in administration."

However, Minister Chung also acknowledged the reality that the situation has changed due to North Korea's ICBM launch on that day.

Lawmaker Kim referred to past remarks by North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un about his firm commitment to denuclearization and asked, "Do you still believe that?"

Minister Chung replied, "I believe it was not the right judgment to assess that Chairman Kim had such intentions and to conduct denuclearization negotiations based on that," but added, "The situation has changed now."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.